NORTH SHORE SUBSTANCE ABUSE WORKING GROUP

Transcription

1 NORTH SHORE SUBSTANCE ABUSE WORKING GROUP MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012 AT 5:00 P.M. DNV Municipal Hall, Committee Room 355 West Queens, North Vancouver, BC / IN ATTENDANCE Cllr. Doug McKay-Dunn, DNV Arleta Beckett, Staff, DWV Cllr. Michael Lewis, DWV Trustee Dave Stevenson, SD 44 Cllr. Joanne Ronsley, Lions Bay Annie Mauboules, Staff DNV Sgt. Richard DeJong, RCMP Paul Penner, Staff, CNV Cllr. Alison Morse, Bowen Island Cllr. Linda Buchanan, CNV Cst. Jag Hohal, West Vancouver Police Guest: Brenda Plant, ED Turning Point Recovery Society 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA THAT the agenda be approved as amended with the addition of anti-bootlegging project 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES June 9, 2011 THAT the minutes of June 9, 2011 be approved as circulated 3. ELECTION OF 2012 CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Chair: Alison Morse nominated Doug McKay-Dunn for the position of Chair of the North Shore Substance Abuse Working Group. The nomination was seconded by Michael Lewis and after three calls for nomination; Doug McKay-Dunn was elected as Chair by acclamation Vice Chair: Linda Buchanan nominated Alison Morse for the position of Vice Chair of the North Shore Substance Abuse Working Group. The nomination was seconded by Joanne Ronsley and after three calls for nomination; Alison Morse was elected as Vice Chair by acclamation

2 Page 2 4. TERMS OF REFERENCE: Terms of reference were distributed to the committee. Annie has sent the Terms of reference by as well. Membership list: there have been numerous changes to the membership and Annie is in the process of confirming who the representative from the various groups will be. First Nations representatives attend infrequently which poses a challenge for quorum. Jag to speak to contacts from Squamish First Nations and come back to the committee with a suggestion on who would be a good representative to sit on the committee. Annie will try to connect with the Tsleil Waututh First Nation with a similar request. THAT the Terms of Reference be changed to reflect the committee recommendation to change quorum from 7people to 5 people 5. FINANCIAL UPDATE: Financials were distributed to group. As of January 1 st, 2012 there was $14, remaining in the Implementation Account, and $31, in the Project Account, for a total of $46, THAT the Financials be approved as circulated 6. ANTI-BOOTLEGGING PROJECT Action on Prevention (AOP) Task Force has been supported by the SAWG in the past. This is the fourth year the AOP Task Force has done the anti-bootlegging campaign. AOP is asking the SAWG for funding to support a communications plan to get the word out about the anti-bootlegging campaign AOP Task Force asking for $10,000 Staff for the AOP created a handout for distribution (not circulated in advance) o Missing information include no time line o There is no indication that any effort has been made to secure funding from other sources Liquor stores have marketing campaigns that run monthly and promote responsible drinking while promoting their product In the past liquor stores didn t want to put AOP posters and advertising for the campaign up in their stores

3 Page 3 Committee feels campaign is important but the AOP campaign has to be better organized and executed Committee may like to support the initiative in other ways such as advocacy and communications etc. Linda Buchanan to circulate article on anti-bootlegging Annie to contact AOP and talk to representative about options other than financial support from the committee and if the AOP wants the committee to support financially then it has to come with a proper proposal Municipalities have transit shelter spaces available for advertise at reduced costs with Pattison Outdoor Committee suggested that the AOP come to the committee for a full presentation if they want funding from SAWG (though this is challenging because the SAWG meets infrequently. An distribution may also be considered) Members suggested that it would be helpful to have a template and a process in order to assess funding requests from other organizations. Could include: How much money? What does organization want it for? How does organization plan on using the money? Criteria for funding Annie to follow up with AOP task force on committee specific questions Committee needs a consistent way to measure committee giving Organizations come to the committee for funding. The committee does not go out looking to supply funding to organizations The Liquor Distribution Branch is already contributing to the anti-bootlegging campaign by advertising on many different fronts Caution to note that the money the committee has was a one-time contribution implementation account - and consists of money from municipalities that is no longer an line item (i.e. won t be replenished) The committee has rejected the AOP Request of $10,000 to fund their advertising campaign and awaits further information from AOP as per above

4 Page 4 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF A SUPPORT RECOVERY HOME ON THE NORTH SHORE Presentation by Brenda Plant, Executive Director of Turning Point Recovery Society Working in partnership with other organizations to build 131 units of affordable housing in Richmond; some unites will be available for people from Turning Point Turning Point has been working for four years to get services to the North Shore The Turning Point Richmond model has worked well Need to find a house to use at a reduced rent in order to bring this project to the NS Funding partnership proposal with BC Housing has been established and they are interested. Discussion have also taken place with Vancouver Coastal Health who are also interested Current operating model would require $30-60K from each Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Housing There are currently no similar facilities available for individuals seeking residential recovery on the North Shore It is beneficial to have side by side housing because bylaw states that only six unrelated individuals are allowed to live in house a one time. Makes more financial sense to have side by side Note: Staff will check the specific by-law regulations on how many beds are allowed Turning Point needs to put business plan together to articulate the needs, the operational model and anticipated capital costs associated with the project. This is useful information for BC Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health as well as the SAWG Timing is good because homelessness is in the forefront of the communities mind. Many of the clients needing support recovery cycle through the emergency shelter system because of lack of support recovery here on the NS Municipalities have to support the housing (and the NIMBY from neighbours) or the project will have a very hard time getting off the ground 1 in 10 Turning Point clients are from the North Shore Community Care Licensing provided the licence to Turning Point to provide care for nine adults in one house in Richmond Target market is adults over age 19 What about youth? Youth are very unpredictable and don t realize consequences

5 Page 5 Youth residences are more expensive to run. For now Turning Point will focus on adults but knows there are on-going discussions about the needs for youth that they d be pleased to be able to assist with Youth service providers and networks in the North Shore looking at the need for youth services A support recovery program is days Turning point not a treatment centre. They are counsellors. If more than counselling help is required/needed, Turning Point will refer to other organization Support system of Turning Point has three phases: Stabilization: hours in detox before they come to Turning Point. First 30 days is the stabilization phase Maintenance and Support: All clients have to participate in a 12 step or other support network program Discharge/after care/reintegration: how people are going to go back to work, move on with life, etc Turning Point starts the discharge plan as soon as the client comes to Turning Point in order to emphasize the fact that they eventually will reintegrate into their life and into society Adult shelter feels that the need for a service such as the one Turning Point is offering is great If people have to travel out of their community to get help it is very hard for them to leave treatment centre and reintegrate into their old life and community. NS residents who are accessing services in other cities have a hard time adjusting to life back home and often relapse What can SAWG do for Turning Point? House hunting need for a location is the one remaining outstanding item Promote the need for this service on the North Shore and be advocates for it Funding for business case costs (Turning Point has secured operating dollars to support a house on the North Shore) Turning Point is seeking support from the committee to develop a business case for this initiative. Between $5,000 and $8,000 would cover the costs associated with this work Richmond house opened on an 18 month lease

6 Page 6 Seniors are welcome at Turning Point and Turning Point would accommodate their needs Turning Point accepts transgender, deaf, disabled etc. clients Turning Point does not accept people on methadone Annie will schedule a tour of a Turning Point facility. Will include SAWG members and municipal staff who are interested. Annie will include the new manager of Real Estate at the District of North Vancouver who is actively looking for a site Turning Point is looking for municipalities to support this issue; makes things easier with support Turning Point not averse to renting at full market value but a reduced or community lease makes the operational model easier to fund and sustain THAT the Committee supports the initiative of Turning Point opening one women s and one men s support recovery residential facility on the North Shore THAT the municipal staff ask the appropriate person(s) in their municipality to source out housing opportunities for this project THAT the committee provide funding up to $5,000 for the development of a business case in support of one men s and one women s support recovery residential facility on the North Shore ADJOURNMENT MOVED and SECONDED THAT the meeting be adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

7 Page 7